Up your sleeve
Suggest a CorrectionMeaning
Held secretly in reserve, ready to pull out.
Origin
From 19th-century Britain, tied to card cheats; 'up the sleeve' hid aces, slang by 1840s for secrets. An 1860 'Times' uses it for a sly move.
Usage Examples
- He's got a trick up his sleeve; watch out!
- She kept a plan up her sleeve till now.
- What's up your sleeve for this game?